7.  Facing in

We began this discussion by asking how the church can grow in a mega-city. One of the difficulties concerns making disciples. But this difficulty is not peculiar to the mega-city. Indeed it may be easier in a big city where traditional customs and habits are looser and where people are already adapting to new ways of life. But the gathering of the disciples into churches where they can build each other up is difficult.

I take it that the heart of church is fellowship and growing together in Christ. This is because church is the meeting of Jesus’ followers in which they can be his fellowship and enjoy and share his life.

Because we are not yet in heaven, this gathering also has a focus on helping the body and the individuals grow up into Christ, so that individually and together they become more like Jesus (so that the world can see by their love for one another that they are Jesus’ disciples and not disciples of someone else).

Paul thought that one of the main purposes of meeting as church was to edify or build each other up (1 Cor 14). And he thought that this was something that each person had some role in. The bible does not seem to have any concept of passive attending of meetings nor of disciples being entertained. It does have a strong view of them being edified – primarily through the ministry of the word of God to each other.

Once again Paul, who had a lot to say, thought that although this might be done in a major way by prophets, apostles and teachers, it also was to be done by all the members of the body in some way (eg Col 3.16). That is why the dominant idea of church in the New Testament is meeting.

Disciples need to meet if they are going to be built up together. And when they do meet, they need to be able to talk to each other about what builds them up – that is, the word that has come from God. And they need to pray for each other, and encourage each other, and bear each others burdens, and teach each other. And now we are getting closer to one of the main problems facing disciples and churches in the mega-city.

8. Facing up

Large cities usually have serious transport problems. In order for people to meet together they need to travel. And travel is one of the things that tire people in big cities. So there is often a reluctance to make yet another journey. Especially if the journey is over an unfamiliar route.

But a difficulty is not an impossibility. The physical problem of meeting depends in the first place on a desire and intention to meet. Without the decision of the mind and will, that meeting with the other brothers and sisters is a core part of being a  disciple, the physical difficulties will be used as excuses to hide the real commitment (ie that meeting is not important).

But with the desire and intention, the real physical difficulties need to be overcome. Sometimes they have to be overcome with patience and effort. Most people in big cities do go out, they do go to events and meetings if they want to. But if disciples are to meet regularly they may need some strategy. Obvious strategies are to meet with people who live or work in the same location, or to meet at times when traffic is less of a problem.

Of course Christians are not the only ones affected by traffic. Everyone in the city is. So there is competition for meeting times. The reality is that there is a limit to the number of time slots a person has. There is a limit to the number of off-peak time slots as well. Which means that disciples are making choices about which meetings or events they will use their time and energy for. And for most people there are many choices – of meetings, activities, entertainment, recreation. Many things that make demands or offer benefits. I think traffic is not the main issue for most people, rather it is the wealth of options they have.

It is easy to adopt a sort of fatalistic approach to this question. But in fact we all have choices and we all make choices. Disciples need to face up to their choices.

Developing strategies for meeting as God’s people is important if the church is to grow in the big city.  But strategies for meeting also imply strategies for multiplying meetings – after all where will the new disciples go when they change their mind and start following Jesus?